Tai Chi for Heart Failure

Heart failure is a chronic condition. When the heart muscle becomes damaged it is unable to heal itself, this results in blood/oxygen not pumping around the body as well as it could do. This creates stress on the body as it cannot function normally.

Possible Damage to the Heart

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Severe lung disease

Inflammation/infection of the heart muscle/valve

Heart attack

Congenital heart conditions

Uncontrolled diabetes

Slow, fast, irregular heart rhythm

Severe anemia

Hyperthyroidism

Alcohol, drugs, some prescription medicine

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Sleep problems

Breathlessness

Swollen feet/ankles/abdomen

Chronic fatigue or general tiredness

Nausea

Weight gain

Loss of appetite

Severe cases coughing up blood

Depression

Dizziness

Constipation

Life with Heart Failure

Reduce your salt intake

Eat a healthy and natural diet

Take regular exercise

Maintain a healthy weight

Avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs

How can Tai Chi and Qi Gong Help?

Helps improve heart health with regular exercise

Helps increase mood and emotional wellbeing

Aids relaxation and calms the mind

Helps reduce physical tension

Helps circulation, increase blood flow and transfer of oxygen to the cells in the body

Tai Chi can Treat Heart Failure The British Heart Foundation said the study was “excellent news” and Tai Chi could be adopted into treatment programmes in the UK in the future.”

Chronic Heart Failure Patients Benefit From Tai Chi “At the end of the 12 weeks those in the Tai Chi group had significantly more improved quality of life compared to the education group, even though their change in six-minute walk distance and peak oxygen uptake were similar.”

Tai Chi For Heart Health “In the past, patients with systolic heart failure were considered too weak to exercise, and were even advised to avoid physical activity all together. Due to the nature of tai chi and its ability to decrease anxiety, improve mood and increase energy, this type of exercise has proven itself beneficial. It may also benefit people with other health conditions including hypertension, balance problems and inability to perform high-intensity exercise.”

Tai chi and heart health in older people “The researchers say that the tai chi practitioners showed “better artery compliance” than the control group. ” and “A higher proportion of subjects in the control group had high blood pressure than in the tai chi group (61% versus 38%). On average, people in the control group also had significantly higher BMIs than the tai chi practitioners.” And; “The researchers conclude that their findings suggest that tai chi could be a suitable exercise for older people who wish to improve both cardiovascular function and muscle strength.”

As with all medical conditions please consult with a doctor before undertaking any form of exercise